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As regards getting a new engine (or major engine parts) - you might want to look at Summit Racing in the states. You can buy from them direct, and although the exchange rate has sagged a little there is a tendency for UK firms to swap a pound sign for the dollar signs, and that a 75% hike. Of course you have to pay for the shipment (though Summit will arrange it), and there might be some duty, but it is worth pricing up - Summit have international sales people.

You could go for a 'crate engine', or maybe if you have a block problem, buy a block and get it built here. Just a thought, if you want a US lump and are not in a desperate rush, then its worth looking at a US source.

The other place for exotic bits I have found in the past for s/h bits in the UK is a dragster parts bulletin board - but can't find the link right now, and you could always give Real Steel a call, and there is BritishAmercian engines who would seem Chevy biased but have Ford blocks if you believe their FAQs - http://www.britishamericanengines.co.uk/faq.asp

You haven't told us what or why yet - but I assume you don't want to swap one smoky engine for another one. The only reason I know for a smoky engine that requires a new engine is a cracked block ? Hence my comments about buying a block - but I am still guessing.

Steve

As you don't get involved with the oily bits yourself, I guess you are in a tricky spot (not to mention expensive). Sorry to hear it.

IMHO, if you buy a cheapish e-Bay engine you have to strip and rebuild it to check it is OK before it is installed (unless it comes with immaculate pedigree).

There were at least three engine suppliers at the Stafford Kit Car show for US lumps. I had a chat with the British American Engines guys and it seems they do rebuilds as well as full engines. Might be useful. While I don't make a habit of looking for US engines, I am not sure many handle the 4.6 quad cam, which I think is referred to as the 'Modular' engine (Modular Engine), most handle the classic pushrod engines.

Unless you want to embark on a major project I would go for the same engine in every respect as a replacement. However ...I have a friend who has been running tuned big-bore Rover V8s in off-road racing, and he was thinking of changing to Chevy power. However he has decided that for a compact high-power unit that is both cheap and easy for parts, and it is the Ford V8 as used in the Jaguar. The 4.2 litre AJ34 is 300bhp, and the supercharged unit (AJ34S) is 400bhp. Jaguar (Ford) V8 . The Aston Martin V8 uses a hand-built variant of this engine. I think this engine is very compact, so it might just be a possible alternative if you are really considering bolting in a different engine, but I wouldn't underestimate the difficulty with changing engine type. It can be quite involved !

Steve